Snoring Treatment

What is Snoring?

Snoring is a noise generated by vibration of the tissues in the throat in and around the back of the tongue when breathing in and out.

Usually this part of the throat is held open by several muscles but when sleeping, these muscles relax and the air does not flow smoothly through the reduced air passages. Snoring is found in all age groups but generally increases as we age.

Is Snoring Dangerous?

Snoring can affect the quality of sleep and contribute to morning fatigue and tiredness. There is also increasing evidence that snoring may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and strokes. Some people may experience mild to moderate breathing difficulties during sleep because the snoring causes their airways to become narrowed. The medical term for this is upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). Snoring can also be an indication that Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is present.

Should Snoring be Treated?

Snoring even without OSA or UARS can reduce the quality of sleep and is also often disruptive for the bed partner and members of the family. Snorers may also be unpopular on holidays, business trips and during airline travel where they also may be the subject of ridicule. Resorting to sleeping in another room can lead to a lack of intimacy and a strained relationship. These reasons alone may be enough to seek treatment for snoring.

What Causes Snoring?

The following factors increase the likelihood of snoring:

Being overweight, particularly having excess fat around the neck which narrows the airway.

In children large tonsils or adenoids are a common cause of snoring.

Drinking alcohol and taking some prescribed medications increase muscle relaxation during sleep. Relaxed muscles around the airway are less able to keep the airway open when breathing.

People who breathe through their mouths rather than their nose may snore more as the tissues at the back of the mouth are more floppy than those at the back of the nose.

A blocked nose can be caused by narrowed nasal passages from polyps, previous trauma, allergies such as hay fever and smoking.

Trying to breathe with a blocked nose can also create a vacuum in the throat which can cause the walls of the airway to be sucked in narrowing the space.

The size and shape of the fax, airway, face or nose inherited from the parents may result in a small upper airway.

How Common is Snoring?

Snoring is very common and there are many different stated figures for the percentage of the general population who snore. As the incidence, severity and classification of snoring can vary greatly it depends on what level and incidence of snoring was measured for the data. Snoring can be habitual or occasional, mild or severe. The severity and occurrence of snoring can also be positional where it may be worse when lying on the back and better when lying on the side. The percentage of snorers has been stated anywhere from 40% - 60% while snoring in women as a population is less at 30% - 40%.

What can be done to reduce snoring?

Lifestyle Changes

Lose weight. Losing even a little bit of weight can reduce fatty tissue in and around the throat to decrease or even stop snoring.

Exercise can also help to stop snoring. Working out to tone your arms, legs, and abs, for example, also leads to toning the muscles in your throat, which in turn can lead to less snoring.

Quit smoking. If you smoke, your chances of snoring are high. Smoking causes airways to be blocked by irritating the membranes in the nose and throat.

Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives, especially before bedtime, because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Talk to your doctor about any prescription medications you may be taking which may increase snoring.

Bedtime Hints to Help you Stop Snoring

Clear blocked or restricted nasal passages. Having a stuffy nose makes breathing difficult and creates a vacuum in your throat, which in turn leads to snoring. If you have allergies talk to your doctor about medications to help or try nasal decongestants to help you breathe more easily while sleeping.

Keep bedroom air moist with a humidifier. Dry air can irritate membranes in the nose and throat.

Change your neck position. Elevating your head may ease breathing and encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward. There are specially designed pillows available to help prevent snoring.

Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back, as gravity makes it more likely for your tongue and soft tissues to drop and obstruct your airway. There are several products available to encourage side sleeping.

What are the Treatments for Snoring?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). To keep your airway open during sleep, a machine at your bedside blows pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or face.

Dental appliances, oral devices, and lower jaw-positioners often resemble an athlete’s mouth guard. They help open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep.

If the snoring is positional, a position modification device may reduce snoring by keeping you off your back.

Traditional surgery such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP), tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy, increase the size of your airway by surgically removing tissues or correcting abnormalities. The Pillar procedure is also an effective surgery in which small plastic implants are inserted into the soft palate. Scar tissue grows around the implants, stiffening the soft palate, which stops vibrations that cause snoring.

New developments in surgery. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and somnoplasty remove parts of the soft palate to reduce snoring using lasers or radiofrequency signals. These newer remedies may require further study.

Any medical information on the SleepEquip website is provided as general information only. It is not a substitute for advice from a registered physician or other healthcare professional. Product information is also provided as general information. It is not a substitute for user manuals or other documentation supplied with the manufacturer's products nor a substitute for advice from a registered physician or other healthcare professional.